Christian Colleges that Offer Early Childhood Education

A wide range of Christian schools with different denominations offer programs in early childhood education. Here we discuss some of these schools, their tuition rates, spiritual growth opportunities and size.

Several different states throughout the country are home to Christian colleges and universities that offer degree programs in early childhood education. Most commonly offered as a bachelor's degree program, these early childhood education programs have unique features and other resources at each school to help students achieve their goals. Learn more about some of these Christian schools and their early childhood education programs.

School Comparison

The 4-year Christian colleges that offer early childhood education vary in size, denomination and other factors, though all of the schools we cover in this table are private institutions. Compare a few of the schools and their tuition rates below.

School Name

Institution Type

Denomination

Location

Tuition (2017-2018)*

Evangel University

4-year, private not-for-profit

Assemblies of God Church

Springfield, MO

$22,745

Toccoa Falls College

4-year, private not-for-profit

Christ and Missionary Alliance Church

Toccoa Falls, GA

$22,104

Great Lakes Christian College

4-year, private not-for-profit

Christian Churches and Churches of Christ

Lansing, MI

$15,550

Lancaster Bible College

4-year, private not-for-profit

Non-denominational

Lancaster, PA

$22,580

Cincinnati Christian University

4-year, private not-for-profit

Christian Churches and Churches of Christ

Cincinnati, OH

$17,028

Source: *National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

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Description of Some Christian Colleges that Offer Early Childhood Education

Early childhood education programs typically involve some hands-on learning experiences to help prepare students to work with children. Students considering these programs at a Christian college may also want to see what kind of spiritual growth opportunities are available. Find out more about a few of the schools and what makes them unique.

Evangel University

Missouri's Evangel University had close to 1,630 undergraduate students in 2016, according to the NCES. The university offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) in Early Childhood Education that makes students eligible for teaching certification for early childhood (birth through 3rd grade) and elementary school. The programs culminate in a semester-long, full-time teaching experience. Spiritual life on campus consists of mission trips, residence hall devotions, chapel services, street witnessing and a variety of ministries, such as children's ministry. The university also has a few week-long spiritual events, such as Missions Week and Spiritual Emphasis Week.

Toccoa Falls College

Toccoa Falls College in Georgia has an early childhood education program with small class sizes and hands-on experiences in elementary education (preschool through 5th grade). The program also has an optional Reading Endorsement and an ESOL Endorsement that requires two additional courses. Students on campus are required to earn 30 spiritual formation credits each semester. They can earn these credits by attending a weekly Barnabas Group and/or a Grace Worship Experience, participating in a Mentor relationship, Student Mission Fellowship or the Hmong Student Association or watching Online Worship Experiences and completing a paper. In 2016, the NCES reported that the undergraduate institution had a little over 1,250 students.

Great Lakes Christian College

Located in Michigan, Great Lakes Christian College is also an undergraduate institution, and it had about 130 students in 2016, per the NCES. To further their spiritual lives, students can participate in mission trips, Bible studies and dorm devotionals. Students interested in early childhood education can pursue an Associate of Arts or a BS degree program in the subject. Those who complete the BS program meet all of Michigan's licensing requirements, and they are also prepared to pursue advanced education in the field and/or licensing in other states. The programs include classroom instruction and laboratory experiences for hands-on learning.

Lancaster Bible College

Lancaster Bible College in Pennsylvania offers a BS in Early Childhood Education that has had a 75% placement rate since 2010, according to the school's website. The program prepares students to work with children from pre-kindergarten to 4th grade and offers a major in education or Biblical studies. Students participate in hands-on learning experiences and earn a Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate (pre-kindergarten through 4th) and an Association of Christian Schools International Standard Certificate (grades kindergarten through 8th). Students on campus attend weekly chapel services and must complete service each semester through First Year Experience (freshmen), Christian Service (sophomores), Internship (juniors) and Practicum (seniors) to grow in their faith. The college had about 1,470 undergraduates in 2016, per the NCES.

Cincinnati Christian University

Cincinnati Christian University had close to 740 undergraduate students in 2016, according to the NCES. This university in Ohio offers a BS in Early Childhood Education program that certifies students to teach preschool through 3rd grade in Ohio schools (public or private). Students must interview for admission into the program and are trained to use varied assessments in the classroom. For their spiritual lives, students on campus participate in the university's Spiritual Formation Plan to connect students to growth opportunities, like small groups, chapel services, worship services, missions opportunities and service opportunities.